Three Tourists Die after Catamaran Sinks off Costa Rica

Three tourists died when the 100-foot catamaran Pura Vida Princess capsized off the coast of Costa Rica’s beach town Punta Leona, early Thursday morning, The Tico Times reports.

Ninety-nine passengers boarded the catamaran serviced by a crew of ten, for a trip to Tortuga Island. The remaining ninety-six passengers and ten crew members were rescued.

Costa Rica’s Judicial Investigation Police ant the Prosecutor’s Office are currently investigating the cause of the accident, with survivors reportedly saying that the vessel capsized and quickly sank due to strong winds.

In a press conference held on Thursday afternoon, Costa Rica’s Vice President Ana Helena Chacón identified the three victims as a U.S. citizen Edna Oliver (68), Ivor Stanley Hopkins (80), a U.K citizen , and a Canadian Sharon Johnson (70), according to The Tico Times.

Stella Hopkins, the wife of Ivor Stanley Hopkins, said she expected the catamaran to turn back to port because of the choppy sea, but the crew decided not to cut the cruise short.

“They didn’t give us life jackets until the boat was about to sink,” Mrs. Hopkins told The Tico Times.

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